While there are no directions as to the posture of the faithful, the rubrics clearly direct the priest and any concelebrants to pray the our father with hands extended so they at least should not hold hands. Granted, the holding of hands during the lords prayer seems to have become almost a tradition in some parishes throughout the country. I dont think theres anything intrinsically wrong with the gesture by itselfbut taken as a whole, combined with the many other subtle infiltrations of protestantism into the mass organizing the pews so the laity faces each other, no kneelers, removing the tabernacle from behind the. I could almost swear that, at least a couple of years ago, i saw something in the diocesan liturgical manual or was it an addendum to the girm. I was a hand holder before children, then realized we could not have our 6 children hold hands during the our father, and now i find i can focus more intently on the lords prayer if i fold my hands and close my eyes. It is a very ancient position for prayer, well documented in ancient catacomb art, as in the image at left. The act of holding hands usually emphasizes group or personal unity from the human or physical point of view and is thus more. Arguments in favor of holding hands during the our father. Maybe this practice migrated to church, as the our father is the final grace that we say before sharing in the lords supper. Is it in the spirit of the mass to hold hands during the. At our previous church, a priest had said that this was not to be done and that only the priest should raise his hands. Posted by rod brostrom on march 22, 2014 in order to answer this question with clarity, there is much in the way of information about the mass involving the postures and gestures of the participants that are interesting to. Its really odd to me that most people seem to hold hands during the our father, but almost none of them bow during the creed.
The priest who told you that it looks sillyoh id love to see him tell jesus that. The our father is the prayer of the entire assembly and not only a priestly prayer or prayer for the celebrant. Why is it inappropriate to lift hands in praise during the our father when the bible tells us to lift up our hands in praise. I gotta write a blog post about my mass experience with this today. What is the final word on raising your palms up during the our father prayer at mass like the priest does, and who decides what we do during that time.
Holding hands during the our father has become commonplace, but it is an illicit addition to the liturgy. Therefore, the practice of holding hands during the our father is to be discouraged. Oct 07, 2007 home forums all things catholic our father hand position this topic has 1 reply, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by anonymous. And answers the question of whether or not it is a legitimate part of the liturgy. Jun 29, 2017 should we hold hands or not during the our father.
Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while praying. While no one can find fault if a husband and wife, or a family want spontaneously to hold hands during the lords prayer, the priest does not have the right to. The our father takes place during the liturgy of the eucharist. While communion under both species has a more complete form. This is perfectly appropriate so long as it can be done with dignity and without the unseemly acrobatics that sometimes ensue. We always hold hands during our father at my parish however it was only stopped for a short period during the swine flu scare while back. Clarifications and interpretations of the girm notitiae vol. This time of prayer and offering is directed to god as is the entire mass, but more specifically during the liturgy of the eucharist. Is holding or raising hands ok during the our father.
It is an illicit meaning not legally permitted or authorized addition to the liturgy. Holding hands or not is less important than praying in a commonly bodily posture, as the body of christ. Monday, july 07, 2008 orans posture and hand holding during the our father are against the rubrics instructions for the mass. Kind of the orans posture refers to the position of holding ones arms extended to the sides with hands facing up or out during prayer. Holding hands during the our father have you ever wondered why some people hold hands during the our father while others do not. Members of prayer groups often instinctively join hands when praying together this most basic of all of our prayers. Aug 25, 2017 but i still feel some tension over it, especially when, for example, i attend mass with people who appreciate handholding. The one gesture that is probably not appropriate during the our father prayer of mass is holding hands. The hands of the faithful should be folded in prayer during the our father. Many say we should not be holding hands in the congregation while reciting the lords prayer because it is not a community prayer but a prayer to our father.
But when the wives held their husbands hands during the same threat. Arguments against the holding of hands during the our father. Ask a priest do i have to hold hands during the our father. Will in obedience comply but very disappointing to be told how we may no longer praise the lord by a simple lifting up of hands as a sign of adoration and worship.
Aug 22, 2007 i think holding hands at this point, especially the way its done at st. Donovan, stl, over at the ewtn website, states that the orans posture in the congregation arms outstretched in a praying or adoration position is contrary. The rubrics do not call for the holding of hands during the our father. In that regard, let us look instead to another reason why the orans posture and subsequently, holding hands is not an appropriate gesture for the faithful during the our father. Looking around, i saw that many others in the basilica had joined hands, and. Of course, the holy communion is great unity, but thats not the point here. No position is prescribed in the roman missal for an assembly gesture during the lords prayer. Holding hands and orans position during the our father free download as word doc.
When the lords prayer is prayed at mass, such an action handholding may not be as appropriate. Another question about raising hands during the our father. If a bishop is holding hands during the our father while celebrating mass, he violated the rubrics. However, none of the aforementioned books give instruction on posture handholding during the lords prayer during holy mass. Nov 21, 2003 holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. Holy holdinghands during the our father how do you all feel about all that hand holding business during the recitation of the lords prayer at mass. Holding hands during the our father is just one of many things that sprang up in the wake of vatican ii. Holding hands and orans position during the our father mass. Home forums all things catholic our father hand position this topic has 1 reply, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by anonymous. Holding hands during the our father aggie catholic blog. Can a congregation hold hands anyway, even if it is extraneous.
The old question of holding hands during the our father has erupted again. In response to a query, however, the holy see stated that holding hands is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative. Marys filling in the center aisle, can be distracting. Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while praying in mass. This position to which you refer is known as the orans position from the latin word for pray. Some people feel that holding hands during the our father enhances a sense of community. Should people hold hands during the our father at mass. Holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. The reason is that protestants do not have the real presence of christ. Only jesus christ and therefore the priest who acts in his person can make the orans posture within the holy mass. How should we hold our hands at mass and does it matter. Why do some hold hands during the our father catholictv. A different case is the practice in which some people adopt the orantes posture during the our father, praying like the priest, with hands extended. The faithful are not to use the orans posture during the our.
Jan 05, 2017 hand holding, an intimate gesture which normally americans reserve for their loved ones, is therefore appropriate in mass and during the our father. Before meals, quakers typically have a silent grace or a moment of. Responding to an article that first appeared online june 29, an overwhelming majority of readers say they either are hand. One of my first memories of sunday mass was my mother taking my hand when we joined in the lords prayer. John of the cross, summarized the catholic faith in one word, love. For example, a bishop cant consecrate with pepsi and nonwheat bread. During private prayer outside of mass, the faithful are permitted to use forms of prayer posture that they wish.
On postures of prayer during the our father i this. But there is a bit of a controversy in canon law circles about whether that applies in this case because there are certain prayers that are designated. Viewing 9 posts 1 through 9 of 9 total author posts october 7, 2007 at 4. The argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during the our father, a problem arises when the entire assembly is expected or obliged to do so. And we all know that scripture describes god with that very same word. Pastoral letter to all priests, deacons, seminarians. So what is the origin of holding hands when praying around a circle before a meal. Awkwardness aside, holding hands or not is an indication of regional and cultural differences in liturgical practice. This position during mass is symbolic of leading in prayer. Holding hands at mass during the our father should people hold hands during the our father at mass.
Many say we should not be holding hands in the congregation while reciting the lords prayer because it is not a community prayer but a prayer to our. Holding hands during the our father should be discouraged. C atholics, it would appear both traditional and postvaticanii no longer have any idea about what to do with those awkward appendages called their hands during mass. This time of prayer and offering is directed to god as is the entire mass, but more specifically. Nov 18, 2003 the argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during the our father, a. Darrel kempf answers the questions in this weeks ask a priest. If the priest is holding hands with the children during the eucharistic prayer than that might pose more serious problems, because the priest is obliged to perform certain gestures like laying his hands over the gifts to be consecrated, to make the sign of the cross and to elevate the body and blood of christ at the appropriate times. The practice of holding hands while praying the our father comes from the protestant world. Priest called it flu season mode but we didnt stop it this past flu season.
The holy mass is not a private devotion, but rather a liturgya prescribed and protected form of communal worship. The vast majority of those who follow ncr via social media are a friendly bunch who dont mind holding hands during the our father at mass. The faithful are not to use the orans posture during the. Kentucky, argued in a statement issued in 2011 that hand holding during the our father is not part of church rubrics. What is the final word on raising your palms up during the. Is holding hands during the our father at mass okay. Nov 21, 2014 bishop coyne speaks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy.
Some people hold hands during the lords prayer, while others hold their hands out like the priest. The official publication of the sacred congregation for the sacrament sand divine worship, notitiae 11 1975 226, states the practice must be repudiated. Catholic church to temporarily practice communion in the. Coming to our father with open hands british province of.
When the our father is over and the sign of peace begins some people might be a nice walk away from their original spot, trying to shake hands. There are two ancient postures of prayer in the church. One could argue that holding hands expresses the family union of the church. Should we refrain from holding hands during the our father. When it comes to the lords prayer our father at sunday mass, these are the questions catholics on the road visiting parishes in the summer vacation season face. Mandatory greeting your neighbor before the mass and holding hands during the our father takes something away from that little celebration. It is no more a community prayer than the penitential rite, but we dont hold hands during that. Philosophy and religion fellowship religious aspects social aspects interpersonal relations lords prayer rites, ceremonies and celebrations. Holding hands during the our father at holy mass is not a vatican approved part of the liturgy. In the evansville indiana diocese it was common practice to hold hands during the our father, about 10 years ago our then bishop said at the chrism mass one year that this gives a negative look in that we are excluding people and he suggested that we raise our hands like the clergy as a sign of respect. Oneness comes primarily through our joint union with god, but oneness is also expressed externally at times by the joining of hands or the raising of hands together.
Bishop chris coyne talks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy. This is oddly widespread in the united states but its an illicit addition to the liturgy. With the circular released by the catholic bishops conference of the philippines cbcp last wednesday, january 29, the parishes of roman catholic church will now temporarily practice the communion in the hand and avoid holding hands while praying the our father amidst the threat posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus ncov. Father dave explains what we should or should not do with our hands during this period in mass. Holding hands during our father prayer catholic prophecy. Holding hands during our father liturgy and sacraments. When this hymn is concluded, the priest, with hands joined, says. For this reason, no one can be required to hold hands during the our father 161.
We are standing here, joined as one, calling to our father. Why do some hold hands during the our father catholictv jump to navigation. Looking at the logic of this spiritual progression to real unity, the holding of hands at the our father is extraneous. Though i liked it in elementary school mass because sometimes i got to hold hands with a girl. Given that the source of our unity is the body and blood of the lord. Aug 24, 2019 the old question of holding hands during the our father has erupted again. Mar 12, 2020 no holding hands during the our father and encouraging folded hands in reverence. However, holding hands during the our father while illicit does not rise to the level of a mortal sin. Should we adopt the orans posture during the our father. As time went on and with the addition of three younger brothers, the family our father chain grew. Holding hands during the our father is no different.
For other people, holding hands is a kind of intimacy they reserve for family members. Q most of the parishioners at our current church hold hands during the our father and then raise their hands when saying, the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. The appendix notes that the practice of holding hands during the our father is discouraged. Pastoral letter to all priests, deacons, seminarians, religious men and women, and lay faithful of the diocese of fort worth 1 of 3 pages. Therefore, the our father is an opportunity for the congregation to project a unity of congregation. They should heed all health directives and frequently wash their hands, avoiding contact. This is an external sign indicating that you are united with those with whom you are praying. Feb 12, 2010 holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. But our singing or reciting the prayer in unison already expresses this element. Orans posture and handholding during the our father. Posture during the eucharistic prayer and the our father.
Here is what i think was going on in our heads when holding hands during the our father. When our lady and saint bernadette soubirous met at the grotto in lourdes in. Holding hands during the lords prayer this article addresses the issue of holding hands during the our father. Bishop coyne speaks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy. The ultimate authority in regulating the liturgy is the pope.
They are discussing holding hands during mass during the our father. How wrong is it to hold hands during the our father. It wouldnt be valid, and it is not, regardless of his high office. Without the sacrament, you can raise your hands to heaven all you want. Some families and households hold hands to say grace before meals. We arent discussing which sign of unity is the greatest during the mass. He, too, is subject to their authority would be my argument. Its hard not to notice that at almost every single modern catholic parish these days, more and more. Throughout the mass, various gestures are prescribed for both the priest and the faithful worshipers. This question seems too obscure to answer with any real certitude at all. No one, not even the celebrant, is permitted to add things to the mass that are not in the approved liturgical books. Nevertheless, we must remember that this gesture is not prescribed, it is an innovation to the mass, and in its goal to build unity and sensitivity, it. Jul 28, 2017 holding hands during the lords prater during mass, do you hold hands with others during the our father.
Before moving to the heart of this post, a bit of personal history seems in order. The simple fact is that the mass is not about feeling good and being buddybuddy with the people around you. Those who are extraordinary ministers of holy communion in the parish church or those involved in ministry to the homebound should take special precautions. I think holding hands at this point, especially the way its done at st. It is called for to the priest alone during the our father. If the above analysis is correct and the orans position in mass has come to symbolize priestly prayer on behalf of the congregation instead of prayer with it, then the rubrics should no longer call for the priest to extend his hands during the our father as if he is praying on behalf of the congregation. In some countries, italy, for example, the holy see has granted the bishops request to allow anyone who wishes to adopt this posture during the our father. The argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during. Elevating the bread and wine during the eucharist, offering them to god or showing them to the people extending hands in greeting e.
Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while. Reasons why i think that holding hands during the our father, is in the spirit of the mass one of my favorite saints, st. The catholic commentator on holding hands during the our father. I know holding hands with my dad during the our father was very special to my mother, for example, especially since hed been away from the church for over 35 years before his return, which was a miracle. As for holding hands during prayer, there are certainly very appropriate times to do so. At morning mass, it was announced not to lift up our hands. Holding hands at mass during the our father dave armstrong. The ten most common liturgical abuses catholic answers. Nevertheless, we must remember that this gesture is not prescribed, it is an innovation to the mass, and in its goal to build unity and sensitivity.
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